Joint breaker and cathead



March 3, 1942.

JOINT BREAKER AND CATHEAD Filed June 3, 1940 zvsheets-sheet 1 J. H.SCHREIBER 2,275,271 v March 3, 194'2- J. H. SCHREIBER Y Y JOINT BREAKERAND GATHEAD Filed June 3," 1940 2 sheets-snaai 2 Patented Mar. 3, 1942UN I TE D STAT E S PAI`--`1ELN T O FF ICE JOINT BREAKER AND -CATHEADJohn H. Schreiber, St. Louis, Mo.

Application June 3, 1940, ASerial No. 338,559

21 Claims. (CL :2M-173) This invention relates to joint breakers andcatheads ofthe type adapted for breaking joints between pipe sectionsused in oil `iields and `elsewhere.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved mechanism of theclass generically disclosed in my copending application Serial No.148,493, iiled June 16, 1937, resultingin Patent No. 2,208,197, datedJuly 16, 1940, and embodysupporting means and actuator of ahard metal oralloy to withstand the forces and impacts to which the device issubjectedwhen in use; to provide an optionally operable device foradjusting or moving the actuator to a position in which it will engagethe shoe during constant rotation of the drum and movement of theactuator therewith; to provide means for moving saiddevice vby the shoeduring movement of lthe latter to .the initial or unoperated position ofsaid device, leaving the drum free to continue in rotation while theshoe is returned to its rinitial or unoperated position by operation ofthe jerk line; and to provide means for disengaging the actuator fromthe shoe about the time that the shoe moves said device to its initialposition, thereby coordinating release of the actuator from the shoewith `the disabling of said device.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for supporting theshoe in connection with the drum to permit `swinging or pivotalmovements or adjustments of the shoe and thereby .prevent breaking ofany of the windings or parts of the jerk line at its Yconnection withthe shoe, as occurs in devices in which pivotal adjustment of the shoeis .not effected.

Another object of theinvention is to provide an improved removable andreplaceable .support for the optionally operable device that adjustsinvention will be'apparent from the following ldescription, referencebeing made to the annexed drawings, in'which- 4 Fig. 1 is a sectionalview of the housing parallel with the axis of the draw-works shaft, aportion of the drum and the actuator support mounted thereon also beingin'section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device transversely ofthe draw-worksshaft.

Fig. 2a is a sectionalview showing the constructonbywhich the optionallyoperable device for moving the actuator to effective position 'isdisabled by reverse rotary movement of the drum. j

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the device for adjusting or movingthe'actuator to a position in whichitwill engage the^shoe,.and alsolshowing that part of said device which is engaged by the 'shoe duringmovement of the shoe by the actu- Vatorto return said device to itsinitial or unoper- .unoperated position by the shoe.r

or moves the actuator to a position for engaging Fig. 7 is a viewshowing the means for Adisengaging the shoe actuator from the` shoeaboutthe timethat the shoe moves the actuator ,adjusting device toitsinitial or .unoperated position.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view showing the vremovable and replaceablesupport for the shoe actuator and the means for pivotallyisupporting theshoe on the drum.

:The stationary frame or housing I is generally of 4annular form, andhas an end wall 25formed with an integral cylindrical bearing or bearingrace 3. This frame or housing may bey rigidlysercured to the `draw-worksby any appropriate attaching means (not shown) with whichy the presentinvention is not concerned. A rotary element or drum 4 vcooperates withthe stationary housing to provide a space for enclosing parts of thepresent invention,fand provided with an extension 5 for attachment tothe draw-,works shaft. A bushing 6 is rigid with the element 4 andextends into the bearing race 3 and is supported by anti-frictionbearings 7 mounted in said race.

'The-drum 4 `is formed-with 'a pair of integral circumferential walls 8having inwardly extended anges 9 at their peripheries forming grooves Ibetween said iianges and the periphery of the drum. The walls 8 at oneside of the drum have gaps II, and a recess is formed in the peripheryof the drum having a bottom wall I2 (Fig. 8). A support comprising abase I3 adapted to seat in the recess in the periphery of the drum, andupon the wall I2, has arcuate walls I4 in continuation of the walls 8and flanges I5 in continuation of the iianges 9. Therefore, when saidsupport is attached to the drum by the fasteners I6, the gaps within thewalls 8 and the anges 9 are closed.

An actuator comprising a body I1 is mounted for rocking movements in thesupport I3 about an axis parallel with the axis of rotation of the drum.A notch I8 is formed in the actuator I1 and has a bottom wall I9,preferably formed on the same radius of curvature as the periphery ofthe drum 4. The body of the actuator I1 is cylindrical and its axis isapproximately on or at the center of the'arcuate wall I9 so that, whensaid actuator is turned to the position shown in Fig. 2, said wall I9 isin continuation of the peripheral wall of the drum; and, when saidactuator is turned to the position shown in'Fig. 8, the wall I9 isangularly disposed and the forward edge of the actuator I1 constitutes ashoulder extending beyond the periphery of the the detent 30 is engagedin the recess 33 The contacting surfaces of the detent 30 and therecesses 32 and 33 are inclined so that the arm 29 may be moved from oneposition to another by application of pressure against a projection 35on the free end of the arm 29. attached to the wall 2 in a position tobe engaged by the projection 35 when the arm 29 is latched in its innerposition by engagement of the detent 30 in the recess 32 (Fig. 7).

As shown, the drum 4 is constantly rotating in a counter-clockwisedirection (Fig. '1), the arm 29 extending rearwardly beyond the actuatorI1. When the projection 35 engages the cam 35 during continued rotationof the drum, the arm 29 is forced outwardly to engage the detent 39within the recess 33, thereby turning the actuator I1 to a position inwhich the outer wall I9 thereof is in alinement with the periphery ofthe drum 4 far enough to engage the jerk line shoe during rotation ofthe drum 4.

The jerk line shoe 29 is mounted in the groove between the walls 8 andhas a pair of lateral projections 2| engaging in the grooves l0. Theseprojections 2I constitute pivotal supports for the shoe on the drum andpermit the shoe to adjust itself so that its does not sharply bend theattached jerk line 22 at the end of the shoe. By the projections 2l, theshoe is entirely supported by the drum during movement of the shoe bythe drum, thus facilitating operation of the shoe and substantiallyeliminating friction between the shoe and the supporting frame orhousing. When the shoe is at rest and in its initial or unoperatedposition, it is supported substantially out of engagement with the drumby an inclined flange 23 (Fig. 2) attached to` a removable andreplaceable plate 24 at the bottom of the housing or frame I. In itsinitial or operated position, the shoe 20 is held against an abutment 25and on the supporting flange 23 by a spring 25 mounted on the jerk linebetween the outer end of the stationary jerk line guide 21 and anabutment 28 attached to the jerk line (Fig. 2); and in this position,the projections 2I are substantially out of contact with the anges 9,leaving the drum free to rotate without moving the jerk line shoe.

An arm 29 is rigid with one end of the actuator I1 and is adjacent tothe side of one of the walls I4.v A detent 30 is mounted in the free endof the arm 29 and actuated by a spring 3I. The adjacent wall I4 has apair of spaced recesses 32 and 33 (Figs. 2 and 5) adapted to be engagedby the detent 33. When the arm 29 is moved inwardly to extend theforward edge of the actuator I1 beyond the periphery of the drum 4, asin Fig. 8, the detent 39 is engaged within the recess 32, and willthereby retain the actuator` I1 in said effective position forengagement with a shoulder 34 on-the shoe 29; and, when said arm 29 ismoved outwardly to turn the actuator I1 to a position in which thecurved wall -I9 is alined with the peripheral wall of the drum '4,

drum 4. This will release the actuator I1 from the shoulder 34 on theshoe 20, leaving the said shoe4 free to be movedby the spring 23 to itsinitial`or unoperated position on the flange 23 and against the abutment25. In said position, the projections 2I of the shoe are substantiallyout of contact with the drum.

My invention comprises an optionally operable device `for adjusting ormoving the actuator I1 to a position in which it will engage theshoulder 34 during constant rotation of the drum and movement of theactuator therewith, and also means for moving said device to its initialor unoperated position by the shoe during movement of the latter,thereby leaving the drum 4 free to continue in rotation while the shoeis returned to its initial or unoperated position by the spring 26 andjerk line 22. The operation of the actuator I1 to disengage the shoe istimed so that said optionally operable device is moved to its initial orunoperated position by the shoe before the shoe is disengaged by saidactuator. The said device comprises a unitary member 31 mounted on apivot 38 supported by the plate 24. The member 31 is formed with a cam39 and is operative to move said cam from the effective pofsition shownin Fig. 3 to the ineiTective position shown in Fig. 6, and vice versa.The cam 39 is adjacent to the periphery of one of the drum walls 8 and,when said cam is located in its effectiveposition (Fig. 3), it will beengaged by the shoe 20 and moved thereby from said effective position toits inelective position as shown in Fig. 6. The member 31 is formed withanother cam 40 adapted to be engaged by the projection 35 and therebymove the arm 29 inwardly and thereby the actuator I1 to its effectiveposition as shown in Fig. 8.

A rod 4I is supported for turning'movements above the guide 21, and hasan arm 42 attached to one end thereof adjacent to the member 31. Aspring 43 has its upper end engaged in a spring seat in the underside ofthe arm 42 and its lower end seating upon an arm 44 projecting inwardlyfrom the member 31 beyond the pivot 38. The spring 43 imparts upwardpressure against the arm 42 and downward pressure against the arm 44,thereby tending to move the member 31 inwardly to place the cam 40 inposition to be engaged by the projection 35 and thereby turn the A cam36 is angular bend'of the line 22 at 'the end of the shoe 20. This isbecausethe'line 22-extends into a hole in the shoe 29, and said shoe`adjusts itself so that the hole latthe end of vthe 'Shoe from which theline 22 extends is tangential to the adjacent Yperipheral surface of thedrum. This prevents breaking of the'strands of thejerk line, aswouldoccur if there were an angular bend in the jerk line at the endofthe shoe.

The shoe 26 yis moved around with the drum until the projection 35engages the cam 36 land at or about thesame time the shoe engages thecam 39 and immediately moves said cam toward the right from thepositionshown in Fig. 3 'to the position shown in Fig. 6, which is theposition Iin which it will not be engaged by the projection 35. Thelower end 45 of the cam 39 extends across the arm 42 and limits upwardmovement of said arm by the spring 43. A shoulder formation 46 on thelower edge of the cam 39 adjacent to the member 31 is arranged to engageover the arm 42 in the inward position vof the member 31 (Fig. 3),thereby holding the arm 42 downward while the spring '43 holds the cams39 and 49 in positions to be engaged by the shoe 2D and the projection35, respectively. An arm 41 attached to the end of the rod 4I oppositefrom the arm 42 provides means for turning said rod 4l to move said arm42 downwardly beyond the shoulder 46 and cause the spring 43* to movethe member 31 inwardly toward the arm 42 and thereby place the cam 49 inposition to beengaged by the projection 35 when said projection iscarried around to the cam 40. The actuator I1 is thereby turned to itsengaging position (Fig. 8) in which it will engage against the shoulder34 on the shoe 20 and carry said shoe around with the drum. The shoeturns upon its supporting projections 2| to prevent sharp bending of thejerk line 22adjacent to the shoe. When the shoe is carried around withthe drum in this manner, it engages the cam39 and forces the member 31laterally away from the drum to a position in which the cam 46 will notbe engaged by the projection 35. At or about the time that the member 31is moved laterally by the shoe 29, the projection 35 engages the cam 36and disengages the actuator I1 from the shoe, whereupon the spring 26immediately acts to return the shoe to its initial or unoperatedposition upon the support 23 and against the abutment 25. Thus, theengagement ofthe actuator I1 with the shoe may be optionally effectedand the disengagement thereof is automatically effected, and the partsare automatically restored to their initial or unoperated positions,leaving the drum free to rotate continuously without moving the shoe 20until the rod 4| is again turned to cause inward swinging movement ofthe member 31.

One side of the housing I is formed with an opening 48 which is closedby a removable and replaceable plate 49 attached tothe housing byfasteners 59. The opposite side of the housing I is provided with anopening I and a removable and replaceable closure plate 52 therefor. Theplate 52 may support a high pressure lubrieating fitting 53 fordelivering lubricant into a passage 54 leading to the bearing 1.

The actuator I1 is held from axial displacement in one direction bycontact of the arm 29 with the adjacent wall I4 of the actuator support;and is held from endwise displacement in the opposite direction byanextension 55 of the arm 29 engaging a ange56 on said lwall I4.

I1 turned far enough to disengage the extension 55 from the ilange '56and permit withdrawal rof the actuator from said support. When thedevice is in position on the drum, extent of such movement of the arm 29and of such turning movement of the actuator I1 is limited by aformation 51 on the arm -29 contacting with` the bearing race 3.

The drum 4 may be rotated in the reverse direction from that describedand indicated by the arrow 58 (Fig. 5). Such reverse rotation of thedrum will release the member 31 from latching engagement with the arm 42and move said member outwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to itsunoperated position as shown in` Fig. 6. The member 31 is formed with acam v59 which willbe engaged by the projection 35 during reverse turningmovement of the drum when the arm 29 is held in its outer position byengagement of the detent in the recess 33 and the member 31 occupies theposition shown in Fig. 3. Such engagement of the projection 35 with thecam 59 moves the member` 31 outwardly in opposition to the spring 43 tothe position shown in Fig. 6, in which the shoulder formation '4,6engages against the outer side of the arm 42. Thereafter, manualoperation of the arm 41 is required to set the member 31 in its inwardlylatched positionin which the cam 40 will set the actuator I1 in positionto engage the shoe shoulder 34 and the cam 39 in position to be engagedb-y the shoe, in the manner before described.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that this invention attainsall of its intended objects and purposes efciently and satisfactorily.Friction between the shoe and other parts is reduced to a minimum, andthe optionally adjustable device for moving the actuator I1 to effectiveposition is also moved to ineffective position automatically and as anincident to operation of the shoe by the drum. The device may be variedas widely as the equivalent limits will permit without departure ,fromthe nature and principle of the invention.

I claim: y

1. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum havinga circumferential groove, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drumwithin said groove, a shoe attached to said jerk line and extending intosaid groove, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relativethereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe towind said jerk line on said drum, means for moving said actuator to andfrom said position, and means for pivotally supporting said shoe on saiddrum to aline said shoe andsaid jerk line.

2. yMechanism ofthe character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerkline adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, a device carried by and movable relative to said drum for engagingand moving said shoe in a direction to windsaid jerk line on said drum,a member settablein a position to movesaid device relative to said drumto eflect a driving vengagement between said device and said shoe, 'andmeans operated by said shoe duringl movement thereof by said device formoving' said member out of position to move said device to said engagingposition.

3. Mechanism of the characterv described-comprising a vrotary drum,afjerk'line adapted vtobe Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to saidjerk line, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relativethereto into a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe towind said jerk line on said drum, a member movable from and to aposition to move said actuator into said position for engaging saidshoe, and means for pvotally supporting said shoe in connection Withsaid drum and alining said shoe and said jerk line during movement ofsaid shoe b-y said actuator.

4. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerkline arranged to be Wound Onsaiddrum, a shoe attached to said jerk line,a support detachably secured to said drum, an actuator movably mountedrelative to said support and being removable from said drum with saidsupport, a member for moving said actuatorto a position to engage saidshoe during rotation of said drum, and means operated by said shoeduring movement thereof by said actuator for moving said member to aposition in which it will not move said actuator.

5. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum havinga circumferential groove, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on said drumwithin said groove, a shoe attached to said jerk line, an actuatorsupported by said drum for movement relative thereto into a position forengaging and positively moving said shoe to Wind said jerk line on saiddrum, parts for moving said actuator to and from said position,respectively, means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum toaline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by saidactuator, and means for supporting said shoe substantially out ofengagement with said drum during rotation of said drum when saidactuator is out of position for engagement with said shoe.

6. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerkline arranged to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, means supported by said drum for movement relative thereto into aposition for engaging and positively moving said shoe to wind said jerkline on said drum, means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drumto aline said shoe and said jerk line and to prevent detachment of saidshoe from said drum during movement of said shoe by said rst namedmeans, and a device for disengaging said rst named means from said shoe.

'7. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, ajerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, a device mounted on and movable relative to said drum for engagingand moving said shoe in a direction to Wind said jerk line on said drum,means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoeand said jerk line during movement of said shoe by said device, andmeans for supporting said shoe in an unoperated position out ofsubstantial engagement with said drum.

8. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a jerkline arranged to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, a support detachably secured to said drum, an actuator movablymounted relative to said support for engaging and moving said shoe withsaid drum, a member for moving said actuator to a position to engagesaid shoe during rotation of said drum, an element for disengaging saidactuator from said shoe, and means operated by said'shoe for moving saidYmember from said position in which it moves said actuator.

'9. Mechanism of the character described comprising a constantlyrotating drum, a jerk line arranged to' be Wound directly on said drum,a shoe attached to said jerk line, an actuator mounted on said drum formovement relative thereto to engage and move said shoe to Wind said jerkline on said drum, pivot means for supporting said shoe in connectionwith said drum, and a stationary supportfor holding said shoe normallyout of substantial contact with said drum.

10. Mechanism of the character described comprising arotary drum, a jerkline adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative theretointo a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to Windsaid jerk line on said drum, a cam for moving said actuator into saidposition, means for setting and retaining said cam in a position to movesaidractuator relative to said drum as aforesaid, and means for pvotallysupporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk lineduring movement of said shoe by said actuator.

11. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, ajerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, an actuator supported by said drum for movement relative theretointo a position for engaging and positively moving said shoe to Windsaid jerk line on said drum, a cam for moving said actuator into saidposition, means for setting and retaining said cam in a position to movesaid actuator relative to said drum as aforesaid, means for pvotallysupporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk lineduring movement of said shoe by said actuator, and a support for holdingsaid shoe out of substantial engagement vvith said drum when saidactuator is out of position to engage said shoe.

12. In a device of the character described, a stationary housing, arotary drum mounted Within said housing, a jerk line adapted to be Woundon said drum, a fshoe attached to said jerk line within said housing,means attached to said housing for supporting said shoe in an unoperatedposition'substantially out of contact with said drum, an actuatorsupported by said drum for movement relative thereto to engage and movesaid shoe along with said drum to wind said jerk line on the drum, meansfor moving said actuator relative to said drum to position to engagesaid shoe, and means for pvotally supporting said shoe on said drum toaline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe by saidactuator.

13. In a device of the character described, a stationary housing, arotary drum Within said housing, a jerk line adapted to be Wound on saiddrum, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a detachable element supportedby said housing for y supportingv said shoe in an unoperated positionsubstantially out of engagement with said drum, an actuator mounted onand movable relative to said drum to and from position to engage saidshoe and move said shoe along With said drum, a member for moving saidactuator to position to engage said shoe during rotation of said drum,means for holding said member in an adjustment to move said actuator asaforesaid, and means operated by said shoe during movement thereofbyfsaid actuator for moving said member from said adjustment.

14. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, ajerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline and supported in an unoperated position substantially out ofengagement with said drum, mechanism supported by said drum for movementrelative thereto to engage and move said shoe along with said drum toWind said jerk line on the drum, and means for pivotally supporting saidshoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerk line during movementof said shoe by said mechanism.

15. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, ajerk line adapted to be Wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, a stationary support for holding said shoe substantially out ofengagement with said drum during rotation of the latter, a devicesupported by said drum for movement to position to engage said shoe andmove said shoe along with said device to wind said jerk line on saiddrum, optionally operative means apart from any mechanism that rotatessaid drum for moving said device to position to engage said shoe, andmeans for supporting said shoe on said drum 'to aline said shoe withsaid jerk line during movement of said shoe by said device.

16. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, ajerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, a stationary support for holding said shoe substantially out ofengagement with said drum during rotation of the latter, a devicesupported by said drum for movement to position to engage said shoe andmove said shoe along with said device to Wind said jerk line on saiddrum, optionally operative means for moving said device relative to saiddrum to position to engage said shoe, interengageable parts on said shoeand drum for supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe withsaid jerk line during movement of said shoe by said device, and a camfor disengaging said device from said shoe.

17. Mechanism of the character described comprising a stationaryhousing, a rotary drum in said housing, a detachable support inconnection With said housing, a jerk line adapted to be wound on saiddrum, a shoe attached to said jerk line and normally held on saidsupport by said jerk line, an actuator on said drum for movementrelative to said drum to engage and operate said shoe to wind said jerkline on said drum, pivotal means for supporting said shoe on said drumto aline said shoe with said jerk line during movement of said shoe bysaid actuator, and mechanism mounted on said support for controllingengagement of said actuator with said shoe.

18. Mechanism of the character described comprising a stationaryhousing, a rotary drum in said housing, a detachable support inconnection with said housing, a jerk line adapted to be wound on lsaiddrum, a shoe attached to said jerk line and normally held on saidsupport by said line, an actuator on said drum for engaging andoperating said shoe to wind said jerk line on said drum, pivotal meansfor supporting said shoe on said drum to aline said shoe with said jerkline during movement of said shoe by said actuator, mechanism mounted onsaid support for controlling engagement of said actuator with said shoe,and means operated by the shoe during movement thereof by said actuatorfor restoring said mechanism to its unoperated position.

19. Mechanism 0f the character described comprising a rotary drum, ajerk line adapted to be Wound directly on said drum, a shoe attached tosaid jerk line and unattached to said drum, a support for said shoe inits unoperated position, means movably mounted relative to the drum forengaging and moving said shoe to Wind said jerk line directly on saiddrum, devices for pivotally engaging and supporting said shoe andalining said shoe With said jerk line during movement of said shoe bysaid means, and mechanism for moving said means relative to said drum torelease said means from said shoe after a predetermined movement of saidjerk line and said shoe With said drum.

20. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum, ajerk line adapted to be wound on said drum, a shoe attached to said jerkline, a support for said shoe in its unr operated position, meansmovably mounted relative to the drum for engaging and moving said shoealong with said drum to wind said jerk line on the drum,V means forpivotally supporting said shoe on said drum during movement of said shoeby said means, and a device for moving said means relative to said drumand thereby'releasing said means from said shoe after a predeterminedmovement of said shoe With said drum.

21. Mechanism of the character described comprising a rotary drum havinga circumferential groove, a jerk line adapted to be wound on said drumWithin said groove, a shoe attached to said jerk line, a device carriedby and movable relative to said drum for optional engagement with saidshoe to move said shoe and wind said jerk line on said drum duringconstant rotation of the drum, projections on said shoe pivotallyengaging said drum to aline said shoe and said jerk line and to preventdetachment of said shoe from said drum, and means for moving said devicerelative to said drum to disengage said device from said shoe.

JOHN H. SCHREIBER.

